Robinson Crusoe is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published on 25 April 1719. The first edition credited the work's protagonist Robinson Crusoe as its author, leading many readers to believe he was a real person and the book a travelog of true incidents. The Life and Most Surprising Adventures is the third novel in the series.

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) was an English trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and spy, now most famous for his novel 'The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner' (1719). Born Daniel Foe, he added the more genteel 'De' later in life, seeking to suggest a higher social standing. Defoe is considered a pioneering figure in the development of the English novel, often credited with bringing forth the narrative technique that coalesces realism with fiction. 'Robinson Crusoe' is his most celebrated work, wherein he delineates the tale of a shipwrecked mariner's survival on a deserted island, laying the groundwork for the genre of the realistic fiction and adventure novel. His novel is notable for its detailed verisimilitude, rich descriptions, and reflection on the human condition, placing Defoe as an integral part of the literary Enlightenment movement. Besides 'Robinson Crusoe', Defoe wrote several other books such as 'Moll Flanders' (1722) and 'A Journal of the Plague Year' (1722), which similarly weave actual historical events within their fictional narratives. Over time, Defoe's reputation as a novelist has eclipsed his fame as a journalist and political writer. His vast body of work continues to be studied for its literary ingenuity and contribution to the shaping of the modern novel.